A few months ago, gripped by baking fever, I purchased Mary Berry's Baking Bible. I quickly decided to embark upon a mission to bake everything in the book, and turn myself from an occasional baker into a bit of an expert. My Grandad Ern was a Master Baker by trade; the man responsible for introducing Danish Pastries to England in fact, and I wish it had occurred to me to spend more time learning from him, rather than simply enjoying the fruits of his effortless labours. This project is almost a way of making amends for that; I'd like to follow in his footsteps (if not in my career, at least as a hobby) and continue the proud heritage of baking in my family.
I credit my friend Rachel with the idea to write a blog about my baking exploits, hoping that there will be more successes than failures as I attempt all 213 of the Queen of Baking's recipes.
So as not to bore the husband with a monotonous diet of sponges, followed by weeks of biscuits, I've decided to tackle the recipes by selecting the first bake from each chapter, followed by the second recipe and so on. I'm not going to pick and choose; I'm determined to face my baking demons and learn how to do everything baking-related, even if the consequences are disastrous!
Everything will be photographed, with comment about how I found baking it, and a husband rating (to be taken with a pinch of salt as he has a very selective cake-tooth).


Monday, 21 May 2012

15. Sultana Malt Loaves

Several months ago, I developed a craving for some malt loaf, and was pleasantly surprised to find a really cheap 'value' version in a local supermarket which managed to satisfy my appetite for the chewy, sticky 'lump' that is this particular breed of cake. However, I was looking forward to making some of my own, and curious to see how it would turn out.
My first challenge was finding a jar of malt extract; eventually tracked down in a health food shop. My Dad tells me they used to feed him and his fellow pupils this by the spoonful at school; can't say that appeals after smelling the stuff!
The cake was fairly easy to make; it was handy having some cold tea stewing away in the pot to save fiddling about with that. It made two moderately sized loaves, full of sultanas, and possibly even a bit of scrambled egg: pouring the hot malty, treacley mixture into raw egg wasn't the best idea! It wasn't the easiest mixture to mix well; I thought I had, but there were a few floury bits in the loaves once they'd been baked. Not that it affected the taste/texture though; they were quite pleasant really, and did what it said on the tin.
Baker's verdict: turned out well, but didn't bowl me over. If I'm going to give myself extra butter, I'd rather do it by eating something tastier than these.
Husband rating: 7/10. Nice - especially with some 'vegetable spread' on them.
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